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No. 257,599. i Patented May 9 1882.

UNrTnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW H. LUCAS, OF SI. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO L. F. PRINCE, OF SAME PLACE.

IRON FENCE-Pos1'.

sPncIFioA'rIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,599, dated May 9, 1882.

` Application filed November 25, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, ANDREW H. LUoAs, of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State ot' Missouri, have invented certain4 new and useful Improvements in Iron Fence-Posts for Wire Fences; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it apperta-ins to make and use the same. reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view ot my improved fence-post. Fig. 2 is a vertical sec tional view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is aside view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the post, showing the recess for the reception otl the wire. Fig. 4 is a front view, showing the wire in position; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view, showing a key or fastener.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

Thisinventlon relates toa fenee-post con' structed ot' a single solid piece of iron; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings` hereto annexed, A represents the body `of the post, which consists of an iron rod ot suitable dimensions-say onehalt' to three-fourths of an inch in diameter and six to seven feet long, more or less. The

y lower end of said rod is pointed, so as to readily penetrate the ground, and at adistance of about two feet from the point, which is denoted by B, it is provided with a series of barbs or prongs, C, three or more in number, and arranged circumferentially, extending diagonally in a downward and outward direction. Said prongs or barbs are integral with the body ofthe post, and they serve as an anchor by which the posi, when planted, is retained securely in position.l Above the base-line, which is at the head of the prongs or barbs C, the post is provided with a series of T-shaped recesses,D,adapted to receive thefence-wires, which may easily be slid in through the narrow front slits or openings, E, after which they drop into the inner deeper parts of the recesses. By this construction the wires,-

whether plain or-barbed, may be adjusted with great facility. y

To retain the wires in position with. absolute Security, a key may be employed, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Said key consists of a wedge-shaped metallic plate, F, provided at its lower end withV an outwardly-bent flange, G, which is partly separated from the main plate or body of the key by a slot, H, extending from the narrow or front toward the lwide or rear end of the wedge. After adjusting the wire the said key may be driven into the upper part ot the T-shaped recess, with its flange G projecting through the front slit or opening,

E. When the key has been driven in tightly the end of flange G is turned down, as in Fig.-

4, thus locking it in position.

The post and fence may be painted white or of anyV conspicuous color to attract the attention ot' horses and cattle and prevent them from running against the fence.

I am aware ot' the patent to Lennon, April 9, 1878, which shows a post-support having spreading roots or anchors, in combination with a post driven through the same. This I do not claim; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States- 1. As an improvement in fence-posts, asolid metallic rod, A, pointed at its lower end, at B, and provided at the base-line with a circumferential series of pointed prongs or barbs, C, integral with said post, and projectingpermanently diagonally downward and outward, as herein described, for the purpose set forth.

2. ,The combination, with a fence-post having T-shaped recesses for the reception of the fence-wires, .of a key or fastener consist-ing of a wedge-shaped plate having an outward-bent flange at its lower side, partly separated from said wedge-plate by 'a slot extending from the narrow toward the wide end, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

A. H. LUCAS.

Witnesses:

HoRA'rIo PAGE, THEO. H. CULVER. 

